Member Associations | 4 Mar 2015

Time for the next Portuguese generation

João GERALDO (TSV Bad Königshofen, Germany) and Rita FINS (CTM Mirandela) are the new national champions Singles. They achieved their titles in the competition that took place last weekend at Sports Hall of Viseu. João GERALDO won for the first time in hi

João GERALDO won for the first time in his career the title of national champion of Portugal, beating in the final Diogo CHEN (Sporting CP) by 4-2 (11-4, 8-11, 11-9, 8-11, 12-10 and 11-5). CHEN had to settled with silver for the third consecutive year. Geraldo eliminated Diogo SILVA (GD Toledos), responsible for the elimination of last year’s champion, Diogo CARVALHO (Sporting CP). Diogo Chen was stronger than Diogo Pinho (CTM Rivas, Spain) in the semi-finals. At 3rd place were Diogo SILVA and Diogo PINHO.

The women’s final was played between two athletes of CTM Mirandela club, Rita FINS (junior) and Rita VAREJÃO (cadet), the first time a player of this rank played in the senior final, both in female and male segment. Rita VAREJÃO is, at the age of14, the youngest athlete ever to compete in a Singles final. The older won by 4-0 (13-11, 11-6, 11-7 and 11-2), her first title at senior rank, after finishing in the 2nd place last year. The 3rd place was divided between Katie MARTINS (Ala Nun’Álvares) and Raquel ANDRADE (GDCS Juncal).

Diogo CHEN and Diogo CARVALHO won the Doubles trophy, beating in the final André SILVA and Diogo SILVA, from GD Toledos, by 3-2 (11-8, 11-2, 12-14, 11 -13 and 11-8). The podium was completed by the Doubles Dinis CUNHA and Victor GOUVEIA (SL Benfica), and Jorge COSTA and Ivo SILVA (GDCAAA Guilhabreu).

In the women’s Doubles competition, the Azorean duo Patricia MACIEL and Raquel ANDRADE (GDCS Juncal) are crowned national champions ahead of Leila OLIVEIRA (GDCP Madalena) and Cátia MARTINS (Ala Nun’Alvares). The 3rd place went to the Doubles Diana ALBUQUERQUE / Mariana GONÇALVES (São Cosme TMC) and Rita FINS / Joan FINS (CTM Mirandela).

The Mixed Doubles competition final was played by Diogo SILVA (GD Toledos) / Cátia MARTINS (Ala Nun’Alvares) and Diogo CHEN (Sporting CP) / Patricia MACIEL (GDCS Juncal). Diogo SILVA and Cátia MARTINS recorded a 3-0 win (11-5, 11-9, 12-10). The 3rd place was taken by Ricardo OLIVEIRA and Raquel ANDRADE (GDCS Juncal) and Paulo SILVA (AR Novelense) / Marta SANTOS (Ala Nun’Alvares).

João GERALDO joined the senior title to the trophies won at youth level. For the player who joined a German club two seasons ago, “This title is the result of the effort I made all these years, especially the last two years, in which I am living in Germany. It feels good to achieve what we fight for.”

The route in Viseu was not easy: “I had a very difficult semifinal, against Diogo SILVA, because I did not play with him for a long time. The final with Diogo CHEN was also very difficult, but I felt I played better this year, compared to last year. And I managed to overcome the difficulties. “

For João GERALDO, the German option has been pay off, “I evolved a lot, mainly on the service. Two years ago was my biggest problem and now I am much better. “

In the future, the Portuguese player believes that “the most important is to play at the Bundesliga, regardless of the club. It is also important to keep training at Ochsenhausen. The training there is the most important, but I can play at any other club. I do not know what club I will represent, but there is the possibility of representing a Bundesliga club. “

For the junior athlete, the Singles title “is the culmination of the work I have done throughout the year and I hope I will win more trophies through the rest of the season. At the team level, we want to win the 1st national division teams championship and I want to win all the titles on junior rank: Singles, Doubles, Mixed Doubles and Teams. “

Rita TABORDA, Rita TABORDA